COLCHESTER United manager John Ward says the club is close to finalising its pre-season schedule following the confirmation of another fixture.

Championship club Watford will visit The Weston Homes Community Stadium on Saturday, July 30 (3pm) – the weekend before the 2011/12 season starts.

Colchester are visiting Essex non-league side Braintree Town – who have just been promoted to the Blue Square Premier –

on Tuesday, July 19 (7.45pm) for a benefit match for former U’s striker Jamie Guy who suffered a bad leg break while playing for the Iron earlier this season.

They then hosts Suffolk neighbours Ipswich Town the following week on Tuesday, July 26 (7.45pm).

“Pre-season is pretty much sorted out and we’re going to announce that over the next few days,” said Ward, whose side are likely to kick-start their summer schedule with a trip abroad.